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Board tables plan for three‑story multiunit building at 2300 Livingston after design and safety questions
Summary
The ARB reviewed a Community Builders proposal to replace 2300 Livingston’s existing building with a three‑story multifamily structure and tabled the application to March 13 after requests for more refined elevations, material details and neighbor safety mitigations for parking/loading areas.
An applicant presented design revisions on Feb. 13 for a proposed three‑story multifamily building at 2300 Livingston Avenue; the Architectural Review Board praised several improvements but asked for further refinements to elevations, roof forms and neighbor-safety details and tabled the case to March 13 to allow the design team to respond.
George Tenet, representing the Community Builders, and the project design team described changes made since the last hearing: the corner townhouse unit was pulled back and widened to improve proportion, a pergola/trellis was added along the Livingston streetscape, the central façade bay was relieved with different window patterns and Juliet balconies were introduced on the upper floors. Tenet noted the design team has been working with consultant planners and that the Board of Zoning and Planning had voted in favor of conditional-use consideration at its recent meeting.
Stephanie Bosco, secretary of the Bexley CIC, spoke in support of the project and said the Community Improvement Corporation selected Community Builders as part of a housing strategy: “We’re thrilled to have this design,” she said, noting the development aligns with the city’s 2012 comprehensive plan goals. Resident Leah Turner raised a neighbor concern about vehicle movements and the shared grade near the rear property line: “I want to know my family’s gonna be safe,” she said, asking whether fencing or other protective measures could be provided where parking faces her property.
Board members acknowledged meaningful improvements but asked the applicant to resolve several outstanding items: the massing and roof juncture at the Francis Avenue corner needs more refinement; the connector element between the taller block and the townhouse wing should be simplified or lowered; facade openings should relate more consistently across the building (one board member recommended pairing some windows to improve rhythm); and materials/brick-sill details should be clarified in wall sections.
The board also raised a neighborhood safety concern adjacent to on-site parking and recommended the design team explore physical barriers, curbing, fence reinforcement or other mitigation to protect the neighboring yard. The applicant’s team replied that the project will include a 6-inch curb at the pavement edge and an 8-foot fence in some areas and agreed to evaluate additional protective measures.
After discussion the board voted to table the project to March 13 so the team can address the material details, roof/junction resolution and neighbor-safety measures. Members emphasized the design is improved from the previous submittal and encouraged the applicant to return with a clearer set of elevations and wall-section details that illustrate how brick, sills and belt courses will be built and how the project will meet the Livingston streetscape guidance.
The application is recorded in the meeting packet as BZAP24-409, owner Bexley Apartments LLC.
